Open Space Institute acquires North Creek property, future site of museum

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NEW YORK, NY - June 11, 2004 - Today the Open Space Institute announced the acquisition of a 1.23-acre property to assist in the creation of a museum dedicated to the mining, forestry, railroad, and ski industries in the southern Adirondacks.

The land is located in the hamlet of North Creek, Warren County. OSI acquired the property from Kellogg Associates through its land acquisition affiliate, the Open Space Conservancy, on May 25 at a closing in Albany. Noting the recent rehabilitation of the North Creek historic train depot, OSI President, Joe Martens, said: “The North Creek Railway Depot Preservation Association has done a superb job restoring the old train depot and celebrating the rich legacy of the Adirondack region. The Open Space Institute is pleased to assist in this new effort to bring the North Country's history of forestry, mining, railroads, and skiing to light.”

OSI and Warren County will enter into a long-term agreement that will put the management of the riverfront parcel into the County's hands. Several historic barns and stables on the site, which date to the era when horse-drawn carriages were the sole means of overland transport further north, will be used to house the interpretive exhibits.

Last year, the Open Space Institute acquired the 10,000-acre Tahawus Tract in the Town of Newcomb, Essex County, approximately 30 miles north of the North Creek station. Theodore Roosevelt's famous “ midnight ride” to the Presidency began in the Village of Adirondac, located within the Tahawus property. In 1901, Orrin Kellogg, a professional Adirondack Guide, was one of several drivers to lead Roosevelt and his party by carriage over rough woods roads to the North Creek train station. Michael Kellogg, a direct descendant of Orrin, sold the North Creek property to the Open Space Institute. “I feel very fortunate to be in a position to transfer this property for the benefit of the local community. It is very gratifying to know that the unique history of this river town will be preserved for generations through this waterfront museum,” said Kellogg.

“Roosevelt's visit to North Creek is one of many intriguing events in the region's history. Visitors to the new museum will be fascinated to learn about early mining efforts and forestry in the Adirondack wilderness, as well as the construction of railroads and downhill ski centers, depicted through interpretive exhibits,” said Martens.

According to Johnsburg Town Supervisor, Bill Thomas, North Creek is a major hub of tourism, attracting thousands of visitors every year who come to ski at Gore Mountain, paddle on the nearby Hudson River, and explore the spectacular scenery of the High Peaks. “The Kellogg property is a critical component of the redevelopment of the North Creek rail station. The buildings on this property were originally used to transfer downstate rail passengers to horse drawn carriages, which carried them to Adirondack Great Camps. Now, through the cooperative efforts of the Town and Warren County, these same buildings will be used to interpret the region's rich history. This project simply could not have happened without OSI.”

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